Laidlaw Energy Group, Inc.(fka LLEG)

[rich sears]

http://www.breporter.com/118510.113119body.lasso

Clean Power and Fraser Paper in discussion for steam options.

By Sally Manikian
GORHAM — During the Berlin Planning Board meeting on Nov. 6, Bill Gabler, Project Manager of Clean Power Development, mentioned the possibility of providing steam for Fraser Paper in Gorham. Since then, the two have met for preliminary discussions of Fraser’s needs. “We have had several meetings with them,” Mr. Gabler said. These meetings have focused on “how we can do it and what is it going to look like,” he said. In May, Fraser received Gorham Planning Board approval for a biomass boiler to be installed by Vision Power. That option is no longer on the table, due to a failure to “come together to meet all the statutes required,” said Willis Blevins, of Fraser Paper. Clean Power would provide steam to dry the paper at the plant. Water, pulled from the Androscoggin, is currently heated to facilitate the chemical action of the paper process. An option is also to provide hot water, said Mr. Gabler. The distance of pipe would be less than a mile, potentially using unused piping on a discontinued railroad trestle upriver from the mill. “It’s not that hard to do,” Mr. Gabler said. “We haven’t got down to what the cost is,” said Mr. Blevins of Fraser Paper. “I can’t say if it is feasible or not.” “We are at the talking stage,” Mr. Blevins said. Fraser Paper currently uses oil to provide steam and hot water, burning nine million gallons a year. A biomass steam system would replace fossil fuel use. Fraser Paper had spoken to Clean Power “before even starting to look at the wood boiler,” said Mr. Blevins. At this stage, Fraser Paper has provided Clean Power with their monthly steam needs in order to determine the potential cost. Once these needs are reviewed, then Fraser and Clean Power will “start talking in more detail,” said Mr. Blevins. Clean Power will be presenting a final site plan review to a joint Berlin Planning and Zoning Board meeting on Jan. 6. Following final state environmental sitespecific permits, Mr. Gabler anticipates being able to break ground first thing in the spring. Mr. Gabler is positive about the potential relationship between Fraser and Clean Power. “I think it’s a tremendous utilization of the natural resources to both develop new jobs and keep jobs in the mill,” said Mr. Gabler.